The first thing that came to Warden’s mind was to deny everything and counter back that the purple mask in front of him was the impostor. And then rationality seized him and he closed his mouth. He felt as if his emotions were a bit lop-sided at the moment and there was the constant gnawing temptation to throw himself into future sight again which he firmly refrained from doing so. The atmosphere on the bone platform was unmistakeably solemn as the purple-masked alien eyeless stared us down; its seven and a half feet of height giving it an air of intimidation greater than any human Warden had ever met.

Still nowhere near as intimidating as the ghost that had nearly offed him just a day ago and a lot less scary than a serious Necromancer; hell even Wendy gave him the chills occasionally when she didn’t clamp down on her bloodthirst at times. Screw that he actually wasn’t afraid of him.

“You miss one church service and they send the bishop over,” Warden said giving an aside glance towards Surge who seemed to snicker at his poor attempt at humour. “If this is a missionary outreach then I’m going to have to stop you right there. I just got out of a bad theological breakup and I’m not looking for another one at the moment.” The purple mask tilted his head at that in an expression that Warden couldn’t really decipher.

“You are not the first Outsider we have met, nor will you be the last,” purple mask enunciated calmly. “You present an unscripted, unwanted element in our play. Tell me what goal you have that would compel you to walk upon our stage.”

“Corpse Tar,” Warden said crossing his arms. While there was no hostility shown so far he would not budge on his goal for being here. Silently activating his Administrative he tried to get an idea of how strong purple mask was.

Target Identified

Name: Taciturn High-Priest

Species: Persona Hyphum

Threat Class: 1

Strength: Fairly High

Speed: Above Average

Durability: Fairly Low

Power: Extremely High

Current Benefits: Deity Blessing

Current Curses: None

Warning: Target has ability to increase parameters of allies within immediate vicinity. Caution is advised when confronting large groups.

“We ask only your non-participation in these sacred rites,” Taciturn High-Priest said while the few remaining masks finished reconstituting their numbers and restored the bridge. “You will retrieve this Corpse Tar and we shall retrieve the King’s Mask. To our vision, the ways of your Outsiders are strange and dissonant and we would rather no attempt to interfere be made, no matter the consequences.” His words conveyed just how serious he was, displaying his stance that even death was preferable to interference in their rites. “After the act is done we can go our separate ways and then let’s never meet again.”

It was an ultimatum but not one that infringed on Warden’s goals in any ways and faced with such a reasonable proposition his common sense forced him to accept. He wouldn’t let down his guard for any instance of betrayal but unless weapons were aimed at him he wouldn’t react either; besides his logical side told him that between Wendy and Surge they were still the stronger side.

“I agree,” Warden said calmly to the xenophobic mask-wearer. “Let’s continue our frosty-cooperation and then part ways at the finish.”

“Then we have an accord,” purple mask said and Warden nodded before he reflexively cringed as the world was briefly full of that pungent divine power once again. He felt the terrifying stuff permeate the landscape before a sliver of the energy sunk into his body burrowing inside his chest and giving him a brief sense of chill before it faded.

“Did I just get whammied,” Warden said trying not to show just how badly the feeling had unnerved him. The purple mask didn’t answer instead giving a gesture that looked somewhat like a half-bow before turning away from him and heading back to the few remaining Persona Hyphum; which notably didn’t included Mr. Blue-Mask and only included one remaining green mask.

“It looks like a geas to me,” Surge stated calmly. “By the way you should probably still avoid using psychic power until we get back to Coldreach.”

“How bad is it,” Warden replied, more than a bit unsatisfied by the brief answer.

“Well for all I know you could fall overwork your brain again…” Surge started before he caught his words. “Oh, you mean the geas. “Are you planning on breaking your word?” He paused for a moment. “Seriously, there’s no judgement from me if you are. I’ve broken more than enough promises in my life. I mean sometimes people are so unreasonable with their requirements and__”

“I’m not going back on my word,” Warden said cutting off Surge’s words before he dug himself deeper.

“Then you have nothing to worry about,” Surge said. “The geas will harmlessly dissolve when our cooperation ends.”

“What if I accidentally break it?” Warden asked.

“It warns you beforehand,” Wendy piped up getting looks from both Surge and Warden. “I know some things,” she defended her normal ignorance. “I also know that you can survive the damage from the activation if you’re tough enough.”

“Depends on who created it,” Surge agreed. “But yeah. You can let the geas activate but you will spend some time in the hospital later when I patch you up. It wasn’t a very well-defined contract so I’m going to assume that Wendy and I should also abide by it for your sake.”

“That would be much appreciated,” Warden said. “Can you give me a lift back to the lilypads?” he said gesturing to the distance that was a mere hop for them but would be a short swim for them.

“I have a better solution,” Surge said as he pulled out a bone that was shaped like an oar and dipped it into the water before adopting a Venetian rowing posture. Amazingly the bone platform that seemed so solid started slowly moving through the water; it was especially amazing considering the strokes of the oar didn’t match the motion of the impromptu raft.

“Good let’s keep some distance,” Warden said sitting down on the raft. “By the way, good job on the fight Wendy. Did you have a lot of trouble?”

“No, I didn’t have a lot of trouble,” Wendy said with a surprising amount of surprise in that last sentence. “I guess I am getting stronger.”

“You’re finally fighting in your own weight class,” Surge replied while not even looking up from his rowing. I suppose the dozens of aliens firing weapons at the creature didn’t hurt, nor did the fact that these creatures don’t seem to be very good at dealing with cold conditions.”

“Just let me have my victory,” Wendy said as she sat down and let her hands trail through the red water. “But they were also surprisingly competent. Have you seen their new weapons? I think they disappeared when the creature died though.”

“I just woke up,” Warden admitted getting an odd look in return. “I finally learnt how to use precognition,” he elaborated.

“Oh congratulations,” Wendy said. “Can you tell what I’m going to say next?”

“Do it and I’ll knock you unconscious,” Surge stated. “You are rapidly running through my supply of painkillers.”

“Wow, displaying such aggression towards your boss,” Warden said. “Aren’t you afraid of getting a bad performance review?”

“I’m already shooting far above the bell-curve on the competency chart,” Surge shot back just as fast. “And you haven’t even been paying me yet.” Warden coughed at that, feeling slight warmth in his face at the thought. It was a completely unnatural state of affairs when compared to human society but thankfully Wendy and Surge didn’t seem to be mainly in it for the money anyway.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“There seems to be some tension going on over there, Sir,” Wendy said. “It smells like there’s violence brewing.”

“We will not intervene,” Warden reminded the pair. “Whatever happens we will just watch and retrieve the Corpse Tar. Nothing more and nothing less.”

As if his words were prophecy a red-mask suddenly lunged forward with his spear stabbing forward and piercing through the mask of one of the other aliens. His triumph was short lived as he was decapitated by a sword. That alien didn’t last long before the a shot from a musket hit the mask causing it to shatter and the musket alien was casually minced by an offhanded blow from the purple mask.

“What are they yelling about,” Warden said as he idly watched the massacre in front of him. “They’re too far away, can you row a bit closer,” he addressed the Necromancer who gave him a bemused look before turning back to the scene of senseless violence in front of them. “Wendy can you tell me what they are saying?” he said turning towards the more loyal member of the group.

“The first one shouted ‘For the Rebellion’,” Wendy said seriously. “And then one of them yelled ‘down with King Radiant Explorer of Unknown Spaces’ then there was a lot of yelling. The orange mask on the left yelled ‘kill the Rebel scum’. Then the purple mask sighed and said ‘Attempting a Rebellion while I’m here is pointless’. Then the red one a pistol yelled ‘death to the usurpers’.”

“Thank you I got it,” Warden said watching the scene of bloodless violence dispassionately. The whole scene felt too fake to him and he finally discovered just what was bothering him. “The rebels are also in with the whole acting thing aren’t they? They’re both just playing parts before this god of theirs. There is no real rebellion is there.”

“Define a true rebellion?” Surge said piping up suddenly.

“Overthrowing the leaders?” Wendy asked. “Changing the government?”

“Maybe I’ve set the definition of a ‘real rebellion’ too high,” Warden sighed. “It’s like they’re treating it as a game or a ceremony rather than a set of actions with any real importance. There are no ideals behind this butchery.”

“If they treat their own lives so cheaply then who are we to disagree,” the Necromancer pointed out. “They obviously are happy in re-enacting a rebellion. I wonder if the rebels will then morph into the government and get overthrown by rebels themselves down the line.”

“That, at least is true to life,” Warden said smiling humourlessly. “It looks like they are finishing up. Now that it’s done let’s head over. I want to at least see the aftermath.” Surge nodded agreeably and the raft changed course with barely any motions heading over to the scene of carnage.

Warden’s initial judgement proved accurate as they headed over to see only four remaining Persona Hyphum. They consisted of one purple mask, one orange and two red. They all seemed to be from the ‘Crown’ side. As they headed over the purple mask looked up at them with a sort of proud confidence.

“The ‘Crown’ has emerged victorious,” it said proudly. “They should have not attacked when a member of the Clergy was here but I assume they let their inner greed overwhelm what little sense the rebels had. It is only a few more steps now until we can claim the___” it was cut off at this point as one of the two remaining red masks lifted up his pistol and shot it straight through the back of the head shattering its mask instantly.

There was a long few seconds of disbelief as the purple mask raised its hand to place upon the crumbling mask. With shuddering fingers a piece of the swiftly shattering mask came free and it pulled it out before it seemed to eyelessly regard the cracked mask shard in disbelief.

“How?” it stated unable or unwilling to try and comprehend an answer. In that short moment of shock the red mask had killed the sole orange mask with another single shot before the gun was turned on its fellow red mask.

“You were ‘Rebel’?” were the last words of the unfortunate red mask before it also succumbed to a single bullet.

“I am afraid that neither of those options appeals to me,” the vicious triple-killer said before it turned towards Warden and he immediately felt both Surge and Wendy go on alert. After a brief moment the sole remaining Persona Hyphum tossed their gun into the blood lake.

“So,” Warden started, more than a bit unsure of how just to respond to that. “Got that out of your system now?” he tried to make light of the situation but he was genuinely caught of guard.

“Not yet I’m afraid,” the sole remaining Persona Hyphum said before reaching up to its mask and grasping hold of the object that had proven to be both weak point and lifeline. For a moment the Persona Hyphum hesitated before with a single motion it tore off the mask revealing a grey faceless head in its place. It dropped the mask to the ground where it shattered on impact with the lily pad flesh and with its other hand reached up to its face and the trio watched as it gouged two holes in the place where eyes would normally sit. “That’s much better now.”

“I thought you die when your mask is removed,” Warden stated.

“I thought you ceased to exist when your mask is removed,” Surge replied a second later with unbridled shock in his voice. “What in Death’s name is going on?”

“Perhaps we can talk when heading towards our objectives,” the maskless Persona Hyphum said as he picked up a packet of seeds and started travelling the short distance remaining to the mountain of flesh creating lily pads as he went. “Although feel free to disregard your previous agreement. This is no longer a place where the Lord of Masks has any power.”

“Aren’t you afraid that we will renege on our deal,” Warden said.

“I am living on bestowed time,” maskless said. “By the time the sun sets I will be long dead.”

“Few thinking beings have the mentality to so calmly accept their deaths,” Surge said without any indication whether it was a good or bad thing.

“Until I tore off that mask I would hardly consider myself a thinking being,” maskless said as the four finally made it to the carcass. Despite being so close to it there was no smell at all. Instead he merely smelt the omnipresent smell of rich blood that saturated the lake. “If I can last an hour, a minute, or even a couple more seconds it will be worth it.”

“Can you__” Warden started turning towards the Necromancer.

“No,” Surge shot him down before he even finished speaking. “I have absolutely no idea how this is happening. This is so far beyond me that it’s actually bewildering. You shouldn’t exist without the mask. You didn’t exist until now.” He pointed towards the maskless mushroom with a look of curiosity mixed with irritation on his face. “Explain please.”

“I have been blessed,” maskless said simply before he walked up to the carcass touching the grey flesh. “Oh, creature of the heavens, when you tore through the ship of my former people you took from them a mask of gold. I humbly ask that you bestow it to me.”

“It’s dead,” Warden said looking to Wendy and Surge in confirmation before with a horrible squelching noise a glittering golden object tore out through the not-quite-so-harmless-looking corpse.

“Sometimes dead things can still effect the environment,” Wendy said. “Isn’t that what ghosts do?” She shot a glance towards the Necromancer who remained in quiet thought for the moment.

“She wants to speak to you,” maskless said stepping away holding the golden mask in both hands. “I informed her that I cannot help her but maybe you can.”

“Do I just…?” Warden said reaching forward to touch the creature’s skin. The moment he did, he nearly passed out as a vast flood of information flowed into his brain. He saw a golden star with hundreds and thousands of star whales flying through the sky. He saw a star whale, old and decrepit with age, falter and breathe its last before its body descended falling below the golden clouds and fading from view to the mournful accompaniment of dozens of its brethren.

When Warden came to the present once more he found in his right hand a sticky black blob the size of an orange that he instinctively knew was what he had come this entire distance for.

“We need to take some of her flesh back to her homeland,” Warden said accepting the trade. “Wendy, can you hack some meat out of the body, any cuts will do.”

“That I can do, Boss,” Wendy said before she paused and a look of almost embarrassment came over her. “Do you think it would be taboo to take some meat back to Coldreach… you know for cooking purposes.”

“I think she would be offended if you didn’t,” Warden said looking back at the memories and trying to get some perspective from the alien lifeform. “There’s plenty of meat so take as much as you want. The remains will be left here to nurture the rest of the crustaceans. Those we haven’t killed.”

“There are enough of them,” Surge said breaking his silence. “They’re keeping away for now but they might attack if we linger too long.”

“Okay then Wendy, as fast as you can,” he turned towards maskless who was just standing looking at the golden mask with an indiscernible expression. “What are your plans?”

“It’s so tempting isn’t it,” maskless didn’t quite answer him. “Whoever wears the golden mask becomes King.” He firmly grabbed the mask before with a violent wrenching motion he sheered the thing in two. It seemed the very action drained him of energy and he collapsed to his knees.

“Are you okay?” Warden said moving forward. He leaned forward before he paused unsure of what to do or how to help.

“I am better than ever,” maskless said. “Hey, sorry if this is too much to ask but you wouldn’t happen to have a name would you. I’ve heard that most of you outsiders have names. Could you perhaps lend me one? I won’t need it for long.” He was rambling, his words losing coherency as he spoke while his body lost definition. As Warden watched his left arm split off at the elbow, breaking apart and turning into fungus.

“Klaus,” Warden said picking the name that first jumped out at him after a few seconds of thought.

“Thank you,” Klaus said staring blankly at Warden. “Thank you,” he repeated raising his head slightly as his body started to rapidly decompose. The process was horrifyingly quick and after only ten seconds there was a patch of grey fungus where Klaus once knelt.

“He’s dead,” Surge confirmed after a moment of silence.

“Let’s go,” Warden said staring at the Corpse Tar that he had retrieved. All of a sudden it felt like this planet had far too much blood on it.